Top Films for February

It’s the start of a new month which means my usual ‘what to watch’ list. Most of January’s list was comprised of the U.K. playing catch up with releases that had been out in the U.S. for months – but in February we finally get some actual 2016 movies like Deadpool and Zoolander 2. YAAAAY! Here’s my run-down of February highlights:

Deadpool

Deadpool is a superhero movie like no other, or should I say anti-hero movie. He is not a nice guy. Ryan Reynolds plays a mercenary who is left with accelerated healing powers after undergoing an experiment to cure his cancer. It leaves him with disfigured skin and a dark, twisted sense of humour. I am confident this will be awesome simply based on the genius marketing campaigns. Released: 10th February

Trumbo

Bryan Cranston has scored an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Hollywood screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who is sent to jail and is later blacklisted by the industry for his ties with the Communist Party. This sounds heavy and dense but it was actually incredibly entertaining, funny and gripping. In cinemas now – here’s my review.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Pride and Prejudice has been done so many times so what better way to update it by placing it within a zombie apocalypse?! It sounds nuts yet I’m so ready to see the classic period drama turned on its head and to see the Bennett sisters (lead by Lily James, Bella Heathcote and Suki Waterhouse) kicking ass. Also starring Douglas Booth and Matt Smith. I went to a Q&A with the cast this week (read about that here). Released: 12th January

Concussion

Will Smith scored a Golden Globe nomination for his role as Dr. Bennet Omalu, a Nigerian forensic pathologist in the U.S. who goes up against the NFL when he discovers a link between brain damage and injuries sustained during a footballer’s career. This is powerful stuff. Review coming soon. Released: 12th January

Zoolander 2

I love the original Zoolander so of course I am going to see this sequel, which has been 15 years in the making! Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson return as the dim-witted models Derek Zoolander and Hansel and are hired by Interpol (lead by Penelope Cruz) to infiltrate the high fashion world to find out who is assassinating the world’s most beautiful people. This looks hilarious and there are some fantastic cameos by Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and Benedict Cumberbatch. Released: 12th February

Freeheld

This is a powerful and emotional gay rights story that definitely requires tissues. Julianne Moore and her girlfriend Ellen Page have a fight on their hands when Moore becomes sick and she is not allowed to give her pension to Page as they have a domestic partnership, not a marriage. This is an important story and is incredibly moving. Released: 19th February

The Finest Hours

I do like me a disaster movie, and although this has received mixed reviews in the U.S. I’m still keen to check it out. Chris Pine, Casey Affleck and Eric Bana star in this retelling the 1952 true tale of the U.S. Coast Guard’s daring sea rescue of the SS Pendleton, which was split in half in a storm. I want this to be good! Released: 19th February

Secret in their Eyes

Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts and Chiwetel Ejiofor star in this dramatic mystery thriller about what happens to a team of investigators when one of their own children is brutally murdered. This is based on the award-winning foreign language film of the same name. It was released in U.S. in November to mixed reviews but I’m so intrigued by the trailer that I’ll check this out anyway. Released: 26th February